Go Hands-On with Fujifilm X-E5, Sigma 17-40mmF1.8 and More at B&H BILD Expo June 17-18

June will turn out to be a very exciting month for Fujifilm lovers, because here is what we will get:

June 12 at 5AM New York Time

June 17

Well, since there is the B&H Photo Bild Expo NYC on June 17-18, and considering that all major brands are there, with Fujifilm even being a top platinum sponsor, I guess it is safe to assume that the B&H Photo Bild Expo will be your first change to go hands with the Fujifilm X-E5, Fujinon XF23mmF2.8 and the Sigma 17-40mmF1.8 (Sigma is a sponsor too)

So, if you are in the area and have the opportunity, make sure to register for free and book your spot at the BHphoto Bild Expo.

See you June 12 at 5AM New York TIme for EPIC LIVE BLOG !!!

The Curse of the X‑E Line: Can the Fujifilm X‑E5 Break the Spell?

Fujifilm X-E – The Cursed Line

There was a time, when Fujifilm was only offering rangefinder X series cameras.

Well, that’s if you don’t consider this camera here, which I guess we’ll never know why Fujifilm called it an X series camera.

But anyway, rangefinder was Fujifilm’s quiet re-entry in the mid-higher end digital camera market (their previous attempt was this one).

And silently, on tiptoes, Fujifilm carved out its very small niche of truly passionate photographers.

The X-E1 is Born

The Fujifilm X-E1 was definitely one of the best expressions of this understated approach into the mirrorless camera market: no thunders, no specs brags, just beauty and joy encapsulated in a wonderful camera body.

But the Fujifilm X-E1 would become the last X-E camera with a relatively quiet and tranquil life.

Because Fujifilm’s priorities started to shift, their ambitions to grow, and the X-E line started to be on the edge of survival.

X-E2 – The Struggles Begin

Let’s begin our tale of struggles with the Fujifilm X-E2, which btw I owned and destroyed when I had to jump into the Mekong river to avoid getting smashed by the Li Phi waterfalls.

Fujifilm had the brilliant idea to launch the Fujifilm X-E2 just 3 months before they announced the Fujifilm X-T1, which came in the more popular SLR styled package and offered superior specs like weather sealing, UHS-II card slot and the largest EVF on any mirrorless camera.

The X-T1 was Fujifilm’s statement to the photography world: we want to go more mainstream now! And as a consequence it stole the show (and sales) to the X-E2.

The Fujifilm X-E2 was followed by the Fujifilm X-E2S, which is basically an X-E2 with an auto button. So we can ignore that one.

The X-E3 Problem

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Fujifilm GFX100RF Coming with Fuji’s Most Brilliant (and Irrational) Dial

If I should pick my all time favorite dial on Fujifilm cameras, then it would be the combined shutter/ISO dial we find on the Fujifilm X100VI and X-Pro3 for example.

In fact, I would be willing to pay more for a Fujifilm X-E5, just to get that dial also there.

Now, I don’t think (speculation, not rumor) that Fujifilm will put that dial also on the X-E5, because the combined shutter/ISO dial is complicated to manufacture and hence raises the price of the camera. And I guess Fujifilm does not want to make the X-E5 too expensive, nor make it too complicated (and therefore much slower) to manufacture.

But while I am not so optimistic about the X-E5 having that dial (even though it is the most desired one as we see here), today I can tell you that the combined shutter/ISO dial will be implemented also on the upcoming Fujifilm GFX100RF.

In fact, the Fujifilm GFX100RF might be the one Fujifilm camera with the most dedicated manual controls ever made, as in addition to the combined shutter/ISO dial, it will also feature:

I understand that dedicated manual controls aren’t for everyone. However, if you’re someone (like me) who enjoys having as many dials and levers as possible, if that’s what adds to your enjoyment and sparks your inspiration, then the GFX100RF could be an outstanding choice.

Fujifilm GFX100RF Rumors

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Fujifilm FF240001 Registration Found (3rd Unreleased Product): The Rumors Go Wild with Fujifilm GFX25, GFX100SII, X-Pro4, X100 and More

On the Chinese Weibo (linked below), the patent for a third unregistered Fujifilm camera has surfaced, the FF240001.

So we are now at a total of three registered cameras that have yet to be released.

  • FF230002
  • FF230003
  • FF240001

From here all possible speculations start and you can read them down below.

How do I know these are just made up speculations and not rumors?

Well, because there are so many errors I will have to correct ;). In short here are the “rumors”.

  • What they say is Sure (+ Possible)
  • 4 to 6 cameras coming in 2024
  • GFX100SII with X-T5 retro style body and no 8K video and lack of many video functions
  • X100V successor almost done. 40 MP biggest possibility
  • Highly Reliable
  • X-Pro4 updated to X-T5 performance with normal flip screen. But another source it has still the mini-LCD on the back. New film simulation
  • X100V with IBIS and OIS and 160MP High resolition mode
  • Generally Reliable
  • X100V with 50mm mode (20MP resolution)
  • 2024 is the year of GFX, with GFX100SII and several GF lenses with good focus performance
  • GFX25 coming mainly for video shooting (multiple sources confirm this)
  • Basically Impossible
  • GFX200 with 200 Megapixel
  • X-T40 ready to be released with 40 megapixel
  • No Reliability Rating
  • X-E series update in summer 2024
  • GF 14-20mm coming
  • 2x TC for GFX

But hey, it’s online. Let’s have fun even if it’s just made up stuff :).

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Fujifilm X-E4 Second Hand Price Higher than Original Launch Price

I stand to my point: the Fujifilm X-E4 was not a failure.

The true failure was that Fujifilm was not able to manufacture and deliver it.

Fujifilm even discontinued the X-E4 while many still had one on pre-order and were patiently waiting to get it shipped.

So it happens that for all those, who wanted the X-E4, the only option now is to look around at the second hand market, where, as reported by asobinet, the price in some countries can be higher than what the X-E4 did cost brand new. And digitalcameraworld has an article up here, where they explain how they sold their X-E4 for more than what they originally paid for it new.

Now, recently Fujifilm France hinted that there is no market for the X-E line. But if that was the case, I wonder why people are buying it second hand and overpriced, similar to what is happening to the Fujifilm X100V.

Anyway, I strongly hope the X-E line will continue. It’s a great alternative to those who want an X100-alike experience (minus OVF) but with the possibility to change lenses. Although I don’t really change lenses much on my X-E3, where this lens lives glued on it.

I still love using my X-E3, as you can see in my video here, but it starts to show its age, especially now that I also own the X-T5 with a terrific boost in terms of autofocus and features.

I would probably jump on an X-E5 on day one if Fujifilm would ever make one, just to get access to the new autofocus power and more film simulations (Reala included). Better if with 40MP, but I could also live with the Fujifilm X-S20 solution, so the 26MP combined with the new X Processor 5.

So please, dear Fujifilm, don’t axe the X-E line. Give us an X-E5, produce it in decent numbers, and you’ll see you’ll be rewarded for that.

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